Unexpected Rescue Mission

Lanikai Canoe Club Sunrise Paddling crews came to the aid of a stranded oc-1 paddler this morning.

Our fleet of four canoes, picked up Mariya Gold, after she got separated from the damaged oc-1, she was paddling in surf near the Mokulua islands.

The ocean is always so beautiful at Lanikai and even seasoned paddlers can be surprised by the power of the waves and currents.

She hopped into one of the open seats in our small armada and another boat hauled the damaged oc-1 back to the beach.

This isn't the first time I have participated in a rescue mission. On a few evening practices our teams have towed back some stranded kayakers, and various swimmers back to the beach.

Mahalo to the entire paddling community, we always help out when we can.

Wishing everyone a beautiful week!

Aloha Nui Loa,
Maile Mitchell-Akita
@mailemmm
HawaiiLegacyBuilders.com

Confessions...

A couple weeks ago, I accidentally smashed the side of my car against the aluminum gutter on my house. It smooshed quite flat and probably useless for efficiently draining rain water from the eves.

The morning after, I got on the phone and started making calls to get it repaired. I needed about an 8 foot section and new elbow. I really needed an affordable repair and quick.

I am so grateful to Layne Akana, of L&A Sheetmetal and Air Conditioning, who offered me an amazing deal. If I could save him the time and expense of bringing his truck out to my side of the island, he would just charge me for parts. That was completely doable and awesome!

A few days later, I met him and his lovely wife and friendly employees at their Waipahu location. They had made me a perfect duplicate of the smashed section and pretty much talked me through the entire installation. It wasn't hard and I actually was able to get the piece off myself, and my brother came over and helped me get the new piece on. The whole process took about 15 minutes and my total cost was $35 plus gas and a little sweat equity.

I'm happy I was able to support a local business and hopefully will get to introduce you all to Layne and Amanda Akana, they have a great business and maybe I can get them to say a hello on Hawaii Legacy Builders.

Lesson learned, I need to slow down and not be in such a rush all the time. My life won't end if I'm a few minutes late to anything.

House is healed, now I just would like to make my car pretty again.

Aloha nui loa,
Maile

Check out this video on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/U5LXRq6ybro

@mailemmm
@hilegacybuilder
http://www.hawaiilegacybuilders.com/mailemitchellakita.html

Living Pono

My favorite stretch to walk has always been Kailua Beach. It has changed so much since I was a little girl growing up in Kailua. The sand is sadly disapearing with the effects of erosion, but still a great stretch of beach.

I admit, in my busy day to day life, I haven't visited the beach in a while, but a friend told me of the micro-plastic debris that had overtaken the pretty stretches of white sand.

The next day we went to try and clean it up. It was difficult to sift the wet sand and micro-plastic particles. In just over an hour, we had filled a large garbage bag, and had to call it quits for the day, as the weight of hauling the heavy load to the nearest public trash can was a good walk away.

We made a dent in the small section we worked in, but sadly there is still so much more. Hoping bigger community efforts will be made to bring attention to this problem and volunteers show up.

Kailua has always been a favorite beach for many locals and visitors. If you have the time, our beach needs a little aloha ;)

For our efforts, our day was blessed with a magnificent rainbow. A beautiful gift that still makes me smile now. Sending sunshine and a rainbow to you. Hawaii is so special, and we are so lucky to call this island paradise home, let's all do what we can to keep it beautiful for the future generations to enjoy.

Mahalo,
Maile